Ard-Fheis Chonradh na Gaeilge passes emergency motion on Irish-medium education
April 9, 2013
Irish speakers from all over the country gathered at the Canal Court Hotel in Newry, Co. Down at the weekend to discuss issues regarding the language at Conradh na Gaeilge’s 2013 Ard-Fheis.
A wide range of topics were discussed during workshops, forums and at the Ard-Fheis talk.
Guest speakers Niall Comer, President of Comhaltas Uladh, Seán Ó Coinn, Deputy CEO of Foras na Gaeilge and Cormac Ó hEaghra, RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta took to the floor to discuss the theme ‘120 Years of Growth and What Is Ahead Of Us’ drawing attention to important issues including the recent closure of Irish language newspaper ‘Gaelscéal’, uncertainty regarding the office of An Coimisinéir Teanga, decisions made by the Government on the future of the language and the barrier in communication between the 20 Year Strategy and the general Irish Language community.
Two motions were unanimously passed during the Ard-Fheis as well as an emergency motion. The first motion calls for the recognition of the Irish language and Gaeltacht community as a stakeholder in the implementation of the Irish-Language Strategy in the north from the outset, and the second for the establishment of a crucial high-level structure between authorities and Irish-language community organisations to ensure the effective implementation of The 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010 – 2030 in the south.
A third, emergency motion, suggested by committee member Pádraig Mac Fheargusa was passed which says: “Taking into account opinions published in the media recently regarding the Education Minister’s attitude towards entrance policies for Irish-medium primary and secondary schools, Ard-Fheis Chonradh na Gaeilge suggests that such policies should be left alone regardless of parents’ and children’s background in the Irish language.”
These motions will be presented to the relevant state ministers as well as Foras na Gaeilge, recognised language planning experts and Irish language organisations.
Donnchadh Ó hAodha, of the Cork Craobh Chúil Aodha branch, was also re-elected President of Conradh na Gaeilge during the events at the weekend.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
